Shooting installation



July 16, 1963 c. MASSA 3,097,848

SHOOTING INSTALLATION Filed Oct. 27, 1959 4 Sheets-Sheet l llIIIl I Fig. 1 l,

Illll July 16, 1963 c. MASSA SHOOTING INSTALLATION 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Oct. 2v, 1959 Fig. 6

July 16, 1963 c. MASSA 3,097,848

SHOOTING INSTALLATION Filed Oct. 27, 1959 4 Sheets-Sheet 3 July 16, 1963 c. MASSA 3,097,848

SHOOTING INSTALLATION Filed Oct. 27, 1959 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 Fig. 10

United States Patent O 3,097,848 SHOOTING INSTALLATION Cesar Massa, Klingnau, Switzerland, assignor to Aktiengesellschaft Conrad Zschokke, Zweigniederlassung Dottingen, Dottingen, Switzerland Filed Oct. 27, 1959, Ser. No. 849,023 Claims priority, application Switzerland Oct. 29, 1958 11 Claims. (Cl. 273-102.2)

The present invention relates to -a shooting installation for practice with iirearms. More particularly, the installation is provided with a semiautomatic or fully automatic electrical device for indicating hits. It is an object of the invention to `reliably indicate when a .target has been hit by a missile.

In accordance with the invention, fa shooting installation is provided which comprises an indicating device controlled by a pulse switch having at least a pair of switching elements. One of said elements is connected to the target 'and the other of said elements is coupled to a mass in order to produce `a relative movement between the switching elements upon acceleration of the target produced by the impact thereon of a missile, said relative movement generating the indicating pulse.

Other fea-tures and advantages of the invention will become apparent from the following description of preferred embodiments, given by way of example only, and in which reference will be made to the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIGURE 1 is a lateral View of a target with Ia hitindicating device.

FIGURE 2 shows a detail of the target, partly in section, and at enlarged scale.

FIGURE 3 illustrates a modification cf the detail shown in FIGURE 2.

FIGURES 4 to 6 illustrate different embodiments of indicating devices.

FIGURES 7 to 9 illustrate further iembodiments in which the hit-indicating device is protected; and

FIGURE l shows a tiltable target with a resetting means.

Referring to FIGURE 1 of the drawings reference numeral ,1 designates a target mounted on a picket or stake 2 driven into the ground. An electrical switch 3 is secured to the stake 2 and this switch is connected with an indicating device 5 provided with a signal lamp 4. According to FIGURE l the indicating device 5 is arranged on the ground at the side of the stake 2 but of course it could be placed anywhere, for example at the side of the one using the target.

The switch 3 is shown in a sectional view in FIGURE 2. In contradistinction to the representation of FIGURE l the switch in FIGURE 2 is arranged in a recess of the stake 2. The switch 3 comprises a housing 6 and a mounting plate 7 which is fastened by screws 8 to the side of the stake 2 which is opposite the shooting direction S. rIhe plate 7 comprises sleeves 9 adapted to receive the plugs for connecting thereto the indicating device 5. Each of the sleeves 9 is electrically connected via a lead 10 with a contact 11 provided lat a contact arm. The contacts 11 are secured to a holder 12 rigidly connected with the housing 6 and are connected -for movement with the stake 2 and with the target 1, respectively. A cylindrical bolt is axially displaceable in an eyelet 13 of the holder 12 and in a guiding portion 14 rigidly secured to the holder. Ihe 'arrangement is such that the axis of the ybolt extends substantially parallel to the shooting direction S. A contact bridge 16, secured to the bolt 15, is provided with contacts adapted for contacting the contacts of the contact arm 1i1. At its rear end with respect to the shooting direction S the bolt 15 carries a body ice 17 cf substantial mass. The body 17 is loaded by a weak spring `18 located between contact bridge 16 and guiding portion 14. The gap between the contacts is very small, in the order of abont only a few tenths of millime-tres.

If a missile hits the target in the direction S the latter and thereby also the stake 2 is accelerated whereby the contacts of the `arm 11 are mowed and pressed against the contacts of .the contact bridge 16, which rem-ain initially at rest due to the mass of body 17'. This relative Vmovement of the contacts closes the circuit .of the indicating device and the signal lamp 4 is lighted to indicate that the target 1 has been hit. The mass of the body 17, the spring and the stroke of switch 3 may be adjusted in such manner with respect Ito each other, that the device is suiiiciently sensitive to hits so that operation of the device .is reliable while discriminating against accidental actuation.

A further construction of the switch '3` is represented in FIGURE 3 and designated in this igure by 3. This switch 3 comprises a magnet coil Sp connected with t-he circuit of the indicating 'device and =a diaphragm Me connected with the body `17 and arranged in front of the iron core of the coil. the diaphragm and the coil generates Ia pulse for indicating a hit. An `advantage of this switch 3 consists in the fact that the adjustment of the interrupting gap, the Weather and other factors cannot iniluence the sensitivity tor providing indi-cation. 0f course the pulses generated by the switch 3 may-if nequiredbe amplified -by means well known to themen skilled in the art. Under some circumstances the diaphragm Me may be used without the -body 17', e.g. when the diaphragm itself is of suicient mass.

The installation may work in lfully automatic or semi,- automatic manner according to the constructions of the indicating device 5. FIGURE 4 illustrates the circuit diagram for yan installation `in which the signal iamp, which indicates when the target 1 is hit by -a missile, must be switched olf by hand. The contact arms 11 o f switch 3 are connected with one terminal of a power source 19 and with `a coil 20, respectively. A lead 21 closes the circuit of the coil 20l to the power lsource 19. The armature 22 of coil Z0 carries two contactv bridges 23 and 24. The contacts 23', are adapted :for cooperating with the contact bridge 23 and are connected in parallel over a normally closed push-button interrupter 25 to form a second circuit for the coil 20. The contacts 24 are adapted for cooperating with the contact bridge 24 `and are connected Iwith the first-mentioned terminal and by lead 21 With the second terminal of the power source 19, respectively. The signal lamp 26 is connected into the latter circuit. When a missile hits the target the switch 3 momentarily closes the circuit of the retaining coil 20 which attracts the armature until the contact bridges 23v and 24 close the circuits controlled thereby. Thus, coil 20 is hel-d constantly excited over the contact bridge 23, i.e. even after the opening of switch 3, to keep the signal lamp in the circuit of the contact bridge 24 lighted. Upon interruption of the second circuit of coil 20 by means of the interrupter 25, which preferably is `arranged next to the person using the target, the armature 22 swings back into the illustrated position whereby the signal lamp 26 is switched off and the device is reset for indication.

According to FIGURE 5 the circuits for a `fully automatic ioperation are analogous to that of FIGURE 4, with the exception that the corresponding contact 23' is connected with the power source 19 directly instead of over `a pushdbutton interrupter. The embodiment of FIGURE 5 comprises an additional feature in the form Relative movement between of a time relay indicated at 27 for electrically or mechanically returning the armature into the represented position `after it has been held in attracted position by the coil for a predetermined time interval. The device then is ready for indication.

In the installation shown in FIGURE 6 the switch 3 is again connected with one terminal of the magnet coil 20 and via a switch 28 with one terminal of the power source 19, while a lead 21 completes the circuit of the coil 20. The modified circuit of coil 20 in this embodiment again passes through the contacts 23 bypasses the switch 3 and ends directly at the power source 19. As in the preceding embodiments the contacts 24 control the circuit of the signal lamp 26. The armature 22 is influenced by a time relay 27. In addition to these already known elements this embodiment comprises ia further retailing coil 29, the circuit of which may be closed over the power source 19 by a normally open push-button operated pulse switch 30. The retaining coil 29 moves an armature 31 carryingr contact bridges 32 and 33 which cooperate with contacts 32 and 33', respectively, in such manner that when the coil 29 is excited-as represented-the contacts 32 rare closed and the contacts 33 are open. The contacts 32' are connected with the signal lamp` 26 and via a switch 34 with the power source 19, in such manner that the current circuit of the lamp 26 may be closed by bypassing the contact 24. The switch 30 and the switch 34 are united in a control device 35 which may be located independently of the indicating device, for example next to the person using the target or at a command station. The contacts 33', finally, are connected in parallel with switch 28.

`In the represented position of the elements the installation is ready for indication. It is now possible to proceed for example as follows:

Switch 34 is closed and lamp 26 is illuminated indicating that the target is ready -for use and constitutes a ready signal for the shooter. The button of switch is then depressed and held down for a predetermined time interval. The shooter must shoot within this time interval. When switch 30 is actuated the retaining coil 29 is excited and the armature 31 is attracted. Thereby the contacts 33' are closed, i.e. the connection between the switch 3 and the mentioned terminal of the power source, which was interrupted at the switch 28, is reestablished and the contacts 32' are opened so that the lamp 26 goes out. The indicating device is released by the 'hit of the projectile as described with respect to FIGURE 5. The lamp 26 indicating the hit is turned off by the time relay 27, whereafter the operation may [be repeated. If the switch 28 is closed, this variant may be used as the fully automatic embodiment represented in FIGURE 5 As to the material constituting the target it may be of armor plate or wood. Even in the latter case the relatively small amount of energy transmitted from the missile to the target is sufficient to reliably operate the pulse switch. This feature gains importance when seen in the light of a transportable installation using wooden targets. In fact one man may easily carry with him a dozen installations according to the invention. The signals emitted by the indicating device through lamp 4 may, for example, also be directed to the observer over a transmitter.

Thereby it is possible to ydispose the signal emitter and thus practically the entire indicating device at an adequately protected place remote from the target proper. The transmitter may be arranged in the immediate vicinity of the target so as to facilitate the orientation of the shooter and the work of the observer.

The protection of the signal emitter from destruction by erratic missiles or by mischief may be obtained =by an impenetrable armor, whereby the whole indicating device may be arranged behind this armor and be thus protected. Furthermore, the signal emitter and the indicating device could also be buried. In all cases the signal emitter and the indicating device, which preferably are assembled in one unit, may be arranged in the vicinity of the target and may even -be connected with the target. In a signal emitter formed as signal lamp the transmitter may lbe a reflecting surface, for example a mirror and preferably a metallic mirror. Such a mirror arranged near the target, for example on the target itself, may reflect the signals of the lamp to the observer or to the shooter, respectively. Thereby only the transmitter, that is the mirror, is exposed to missiles. Such a mirror however, and more particularly if made of a material which may be pierced by projectiles, is adapted to operate in the damaged state, i.e. after having been traversed by several missiles. After finally having become unusable, only a cheap part of the installation must be replaced and the more expensive elements of the indicating device are neither damaged nor destroyed.

FIGURES 7 to 9 illustrate embodiments of shooting installations of the above type. Similar parts to the installations previously `described are designated by the same reference numerals. The signal lamp 4 and the indicating device S are secured to armor plate 36. The latter is connected at one end to a support 37 driven in the ground in front of the stake 2, and rests on its other end on the ground (FIGURE 7). The armor plate 36 is inclined towards the stake 2 so that erratic missiles hit it along a flat angle and are deflected. The arrangement may ybe such that the target 1 is not hit by these missiles. To this end the armor plate 36 could be arranged at a greater distance in front of the target than is illustrated. Of course the lamp 4 and the device 5 are protected by plate 36 whereby the lamp 4 is secured in a recess of the plate 36 and is directed upwardly. The signals emitted by the lamp are reflected by a mirror 38 secured to the support 37 and inclined with respect to the vertical light rays of the lamp about 45 towards the shooting direction. The switch (3 or 3') also is arranged in the zone of protection afforded by the plate 36. The lighting of the lamp 4 is visible to the shooter or to an observer in accordance with the positioning of mirror 38. Thus the upwardly directed signals of the lamp 4 are reflected into the corresponding direction by the mirror 38. The latter thus acts as a transmitter directing the signals emitted from a protected place towards the observer. Of course, the mirror 38 may be formed such that the signals may be observed from several points. Thus the shooter may ybe mobile and still observe the hits. Furthermore the device 5 may be controlled by a time switch so that the lamp 4 goes out after a certain time after which the installation is again ready for indication.

The measures for protecting the signal emitter, and the switch 3 in no way impairs the portability of the installation since the target as well as the protected indicating device may easily be transported and set up by one man. The electrical connection of the switch 3 with the device 5 of course is releasable by plug and socket means.

The modification illustrated 4in FIGURE 8 differs from that afore-described in that the device 5 is secured to the support 37. In this variant the lamp 4 is mounted in the housing of the device 5. Apart yfrom this the same parts are present, and they are designated by the same reference numerals as in the preceding embodiments. In this modification it is indicated that the mirror 38 can also be placed separate from the indicating unit for example at a lower `or upper rim of the target.

In the modification of FIGURE 9 the device 5 again is situated below the plate 36 and the lamp 4 is mounted in a recess thereof. However, no support is provided and the plate 36 is directly supported by the stake 2 by a hook '36' provided at the upper end of the plate which engages a stirrup 39 secured to the stake 2. The plate 36 and the stake 2 could also be connected rigidly but creleasa-bly with each other, for example by means of a clamping screw. The mirror 38 arranged at the upper rim `of the target 1 could also be secured to the plate 36 or inserted int-o the stirrup 39'. Furthermore, the plug could be constructed in such manner that the inserting of the hook 36 into the stirrup 39 closes the electrical circuit.

The reec-ting surface of the mirror 38, se-rving as a transmitter, may also be covered with a layer of so-called Scotch-light. Use of other materials may seem appro priate in order to obtain a better visibility of the signals. For example the transmitter could be constructed in such manner as to produce the well-known cats-eye effect.

In a further modification the lamp could be arranged immediately below the target 1 at a separate support or at the `stake 2 and the plate 36 provided with a support 37 and carrying the device 5 could be arranged lfarther ahead of the target 1 in order to divert errant missiles upwardly to such an extent that such missiles miss the target.

A further possible modification consists of supporting the plate 36 on -a support 37, the latter 'being provided with at least one stirrup releasably receiving the stake 2. Of course the stake ycould also be clamped in this stirrup.

The plate 36 could of course also be Provided with side parts affording lateral protection. A similar effect could be obtained with a vaulted armor plate of appropriate width.

Other signalling means could fbe used instead of the lamp 4. Such signalling means need not absolutely be optical.

The target could also be arranged so as to be pivotable and to be set up in an unstable position and held in this position by means of an adjusting device. Such adjusting device could be operated automatically or not. More particularly it is possible to inuence the control of the adjusting device by the pulse switch responding to target hits and the indicating pulse could be used to control the adjusting device.

In FIGURE reference numeral 1 again designates the ytarget secured to one end yof -a stake 2. The other end of this stake is provided with a plate 40 having a laterally projecting eyelet 41 and an eyelet 42 extending in the axial direction of the stake Z. The eyelet 41 is articulated to a lug 44 lby means of a pivot 43. Lug 44 is rigidly secured as at 45, for example t-o a stake (not shown) and driven into the ground of an `appropriate place. As seen from the drawing the pivot 43 in the represented position of the pivotally :arranged target 1 is eccentric with respect to a vertical line through the center of gravity of the assembly. In its set-up position the target thus is in a state of unstable equilibrium and requires external means in order to maintain it in this position.

The eyelet 42 is engaged by the piston rod 46 of a piston 48 slidably guided in a cylinder 47 pivotally supported for movement `about a fixed point. In the represented arrangement it is clear that the target 1 is set up and held in -this position, ywhen the piston 48 under the action of a pressure fluid is displaced and held in the represented end position. On the other ihand it is clear that the target 1 pivots out of the set-up position when the cylinder 47 is emptied.

The supply of the fluid to the cylinder 47 may be controlled by the switch 3 so that when the target is hit by a missile the fluid is evacuated from the cylinder whereby the target will collapse indicating to Ithe shooter that a hit has been made.

I claim:

1. A shooting installation -for practice with arms, comprising a target, an indicating device -for indicating hits on said Ita-rget by a missile from said arms, a pulse switch controlling said indicating device, said pulse switch comprising a pair of cooperating switching elements, one of said switching elements being rigidly connected to the target and the other of said switching elements being movably guided with respect t-o the rst switching element, a mass, said other switching element being connected for movement with said mass, said one switching element being in front of said other switching element in the direction of shooting so Kthat -the impact of said missile accelerates -said target and said one switching element while said other lswitching element remains initially at rest due to the inertia of said mass whereby an initial relative movement is effected between said switching elements, which relative movement causes energization of said indicating device.

2. An installation as claimed in claim l, wherein the target includes a stake and in which the pulse switch is secured to the stake of the target and comprises a pushing rod slidab-ly ,guided parallel to the direction of shooting and connected wit-h said mass, a 4contact bridge on said rod, contacts arranged ahead of Ithe bridge with respect to the direction of shooting for being engaged by said bridge, and a spring holding apart the contact bridge and the contacts.

3. An installation as claimed `in claim 1, in which the pulse switch controls a retaining magnet coil, an armature operatively associated with said coil, a signal switch controlled by said armature, said signal device comprising a signal lamp coupled to and controlled by said signal switch, and a retaining switch connected in parallel -to the pulse lsw-itch such that the said retaining and signal switches are closed when the coil is excited.

4. An installation as claimed in claim 3 comprising a push-button switch in series with the retaining switch.

5. An installation as claimed in claim 3 comprising a time relay for interrupting current flow of the retaining switch and of the signal switch at the end of a predeterminated, adjustable time interval after the actuation of the pulse switch.

6. An installation as claimed in claim 1, vin which the indicating device comprises a signal emitter and a transmit-ter for transmitting the signals of lthe emitter to an observer, and a shoot-proof armouring protecting the emitter, the `transmitter being Iarranged nea-r the target.

7. An installation as `claimed in claim 6, in which the indicating device is arranged in entirety in the zone of protection alforded by said armouring.

8. An installation as claimed in claim 7, in which the signal emitter forms a unit with the armouring and in which said Itransmitter is secured to said unit.

9. An installation as claimed in claim 8, in which the signal emitter is constituted by a signal lamp and the transmitter is constituted by a reflecting surface.

l0. An installation as claimed in claim 9, in which the rellecting surface is mounted on a support adapted to be pierced by missiles.

11. An install-ation as claimed in cl-aim 1 wherein said one switching element is a magnetic coil connected to said indicating device and the other switching element is a diaphragm arranged -adjacent the coil, said magnetic coil generating a pulse to energize the switching element with said coil and diaphragm moving relative to one another.

References Cited in the tile of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 954,997 Rice Apr. 12, 1910 1,041,258 Ellis Oct. 15, 1912 1,306,048 Coy June 10, 1919 2,805,066 Mongello Sept. 3, 1957 2,883,194 Bogner et al. Apr. 2l, 1959 2,934,346 Mongello Apr. 26, 1960 

1. A SHOOTING INSTALLATION FOR PRACTICE WITH ARMS, COMPRISING A TARGET, AN INDICATING DEVICE FOR INDICATING HITS ON SAID TARGET BY A MISSILE FROM SAID ARMS, A PULSE SWITCH CONTROLLING SAID INDICATING DEVICE, SAID PULSE SWITCH COMPRISING A PAIR OF COOPERATING SWITCHING ELEMENTS, ONE OF SAID SWITCHING ELEMENTS BEING RIGIDLY CONNECTED TO THE TARGET AND THE OTHER SAID SWITCHING ELEMENTS BEING MOVABLY GUIDED WITH RESPECT TO THE FIRST SWITCHING ELEMENT, A MASS, SAID OTHER SWITCHING ELEMENT BEING CONNECTED FOR MOVEMENT WITH SAID MASS, SAID ONE SWITCHING ELEMENT BEING IN FRONT OF SAID OTHER SWITCHING ELEMENT IN THE DIRECTION OF SHOOTING SO THAT THE IMPACT OF SAID MISSILE ACCELERATES SAID TARGET AND SAID ONE SWITCHING ELEMENT WHILE OTHER SWITCHING ELEMENT REMAINS INITIALLY AT REST DUE TO THE INERTIA OF SAID MASS WHEREBY AN INITIAL RELATIVE MOVEMENT IS EFFECTED BETWEEN SAID SWITCHING ELEMENTS, WHICH RELATIVE MOVEMENT CAUSES ENERGIZATION OF SAID INDICATING DEVICE. 